Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-03-19

ton, and extend to her our thanks for her
efficient work among our corps"
Estate papers please copy the above resolutions.
Words fail to express the disgrace our
people feel because of the annexed incl
dent, and their utter contempt for bust
ness man who would SO surrender him
self to the influence Of strong drink as
to make such an action possible. The
facts are given by one who is willing to
make oath to them if necessary. Among
other preparations made for the quarterly
meeting last week was the securing OF
accommodations at our only hotel. The
proprietor, B. o. Richards, promised to
give the visitors two rooms, SO when Ell
der NJ. M. Stolz arrived, on the noon train
Saturday, he was escorted by our pastor,
Rev. J. G. Elliott, to the hotel for dinner.
After the afternoon services, Collyer was
threatened with destruction by prairie
fire, and the two ministers walked up the
street to see If their services were needed.
They saw number of men standing idle
by the road leading to the north, (prob-
ably stationed there to prevent the fire
spreading westward but, on account of
the dense smoke, could not see those
fighting fire to the east, and concluded
their help was then unnecessary. They
retraced their steps to the hotel, and soon
after responded to the ringing of the sup
per bSl by sitting down to the table, sur
rounded by men-all younger than them
selves-citizens of this place. 30.
Richards repeatedly passed through the
dining-roon, and upon one occasion, see
ing Capt. Bruner making ready to fight
fire, told him to eat his supper first, which
he did. Their supper ended, the two
gray-haired ministers started again for
the fire and were met by the men and
boys returning with their bags, who said
the fire was out. Finding duty no longer
calling in that direction, they fastened
to prepare for evening services, Rev.
Elliott 10y securing feed for his pony, and
the elder returning to the hotel, where lie
found his valise set outside. He took it
up and placed it in the Office, when B. 0.
Richards en9uired if that was his, mean
ing the valise The elder replied 'tIt Is"
whereupon Richards told him he could
take his satchel and go, as he kept no
man in his house who would eat his sup
per when the town was burning up. In
mild tones the elder made answer to the
effect that he did not realize there was
any great danger, and certainly was not
above fighting fire, as he had done SO be-
fore, but thought that as the young men
citizens ate and were not anxious, there
was no Immediate danger. Both minis
tiers were entertained at private houses
until Monday noon, when Elder Stolz
took the east-bound passenger and Rev.
Elliott returned to his residence, near
Banner. Our people feel keenly the dis
honor shown our visitor, and the friends
of veterans blush that member of the
G. A. r. should be guilty of so contemp-
tible an act.
OUR PRAIRIE FIRE.
Early Saturday morning prairie fire
smoke was discernible to the northeast.
AS tho day advanced wind arose of
fierce velocity, carrying the flames on
ward at rate only equaled by the great
Chicago fire. In twenty minutes it passed
from the Saline river to Collyer, dis
lance of eight or nine miles. All along
,tr 1>,r& he 1,,,A
it seemed to mock at their efforts and
leaped forward to continue its destructive
work. Often the wind varied slightly
from north to northeast or northwest,
causing the fire to change its course. AS
it neared Collyer, where cattle had grazed
but little, the smoke rose in great vol
umes, carrying cinders Of grass for mile,
and the fire rolled on at rapid rate.
Some blowing just east of town stayed it's
progress slightly, but it passed around it
on the north and came rushing toward
the business part of town as if determined
to annihilate it. But for the brave work
of many men and boys in fighting the
flames with wet bags, blowing burrows,
setting back-fires, it might have succeed
ed. Through the kindness of friend,
who does not wish his name heralded to
the World, your correspondent was per-
mitted to visit the burned district. Leav-
ing town, our party rode to the northeast,
over road which was but line of gray
in a surface of entire black. At times, as
far as the eye could see, stretched field
of midnight blackness, not relieved by
even one bunch of unburned vegetation. |
The fire is said by some to have original |
ed at the Solomon, by others near the |
north fork of the Saline, and the number
of sufferers is great Only few names
of settlers north of the Saline could be |
learned. Among the number are Widow
Battman, who lost all but her house; Mr.. |
Wellnan lost house and all; A. ID. Elliott, |
everything but his house, including many
bushels of corn; and MIR. Wheeler, few
miles northwest of d. Fouts', whose loss |
is range and feed, his barn and house be- |
ing saved by the assistance of his wife |
and Mr.. Fouts. The fire crossed the Sa- |
line near Mr.. Eliott's and caught d.
Fouts' place next, burning sheds, feed, |